APHIS Environmental Assessment finds No Significant Impact from Biological Control of Swallow-Wort Plant

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has prepared a final environmental assessment (EA) regarding release of a leaf-eating moth, Hypena opulenta, to control the vine swallow-wort. Swallow-wort vines outcompete native plants for resources. APHIS experts analyzed the effect releasing this moth could have on the human environment and determined their release will not have a significant impact. On July 13, 2017 APHIS published an EA in the Federal Register for public review and comment. After reviewing comments received, APHIS prepared the final EA and made the finding of no significant impact. This action will allow the issuance of permits to release the moths.